SCHOOLS should focus on technical skills as well academic qualifications, according to Merseyside MPs.

SCHOOLS should focus on technical skills as well academic qualifications, according to Merseyside MPs.

The secretary for education was expected to announce today that A-levels and GCSEs will remain on the curriculum despite a report by Sir Mike Tomlinson calling for them to be scrapped in favour of a diploma.

But the region's representatives today demanded equal respect for children who excel in vocational subjects.

Bootle Labour MP Joe Benton called for the return of the old fashioned apprenticeship system.

He said: "I hope to see more flexibility in education. I have no objection to retaining GCSE's and A-levels but we need more vocational training.

"There is a great demand to go back to traditional skills, apprenticeships and technological training.

"We can't all be academics and more vocational training would be of great economic benefit as well as giving children a broader view of life."

Birkenhead Labour MP Frank Field called for exams to be made harder - something Ruth Kelly was expected to announce today.

He said: "I hope she will raise qualifying standards for A-levels significantly.

"I hope that this will be the first government to seriously give children who have technical abilities an equal right to excel."

Ms Kelly was also expected to herald an extension of vocational opportunities for teenagers - both inside and outside a traditional school environment.

Other MPs in the area broadly welcomed her expected proposals.

Riverside Louise Ellman said: "The secretary of state is right to find a way of stretching the most academic pupils.

"But it is just as important that proper training is given equivalent status as academic achievement." Wirral South Labour MP Ben Chapman said: "We want to have respect for qualifications and GCSE's and A-levels have that respect.

"But we need to make greater provision for vocational training and I believe today's announcement will deliver that."